Freshers’ Week
What is Freshers’ Week?
A festival to launch you into university life, run by all the student organisations on campus – this is the biggest student party you’ll ever go to. You’ll already have an idea what student life is all about, but by the end of freshers’ week – you’ll know.
You’ll know which bars to go to (there’s more than 10 of them on campus alone) – and where to get a recovery breakfast in the morning. You’ll know your way around campus and best places to hang out and catch the banter.
Most importantly, you’ll meet the people that you’re going to spend the next few years of your life with. The people you will party until dawn with; the people you’ll phone up when you need a bit of inspiration when it gets to 4am and that essay is due in at midday. People you’ll stay in touch with for the rest of your life; people you’ll have a wild 24 hours with and then never see again. The festival only lasts a week but the freshers’ week experience will stay with you for life.
What can I expect?
There are events running all week from 10am to 3am the next morning. Ranging from bands and dJs in the unions at night to tours of campus and seminars during the day. last year saw acts like Pendulum, Twin Atlantic, Judge Jules and Ministry of Sound pack dance floors across campus. Meanwhile in the bars, comedy fresh from the likes of Simon Bird, pub quizzes, games and some of glasgow’s best dJs kept the crowd happy whilst resting their feet. This year will be even bigger than last, with refurbished venues, more bands and guest dJs along with all the usual festivities.
Freshers’ week isn’t all about getting drunk every night and waking up with a headache – there’s a full programme of events designed to introduce you to glasgow life and help you meet like minded people.
Last year saw an alternative bus tour of the city’s clubs, theatres, cafes and boutiques; a language cafe for meeting foreign language speakers; demonstrations from and introductions from student media to community projects; student led tours of campus showing all the places you need to know as well as the ones you’re not supposed to; The Freshers’ Fair which, spread over two days and various old university halls, provides the opportunity to meet the 100 or so student clubs and societies who have all the information you need if you are thinking about joining as well as companies giving out freebies in a bid to win your custom.
What else then?
You can wake yourself up by getting some fresh air and exercise at the many sports taster sessions run by the university sports association. last year there were over 50 different sports and activities covered in a range of venues from the gym, to the playing fields, to the local tennis club and even out to the picturesque Bardowie loch for some water sports.
Sessions are designed for both the complete novice and for those who are looking to continue playing a sport at uni which they already enjoy. Some of the highlights from last year which you should keep an eye out for, alongside the more popular options were: snowboarding, combat sports demonstrations, trampolining, sailing, yoga, gaelic football, American football, curling, shinty and fencing.
A guide to the week with full listings, timetables and a map will be included with your Freshers’ Pass, events will be listed at gla.ac.uk/freshersweek/ as they’re announced.
What next?
To go to all of the events in freshers’ week, simply download a registration form, print it out, fill it in and post it back to the SRC (address on form) before Wednesday 8th September, along with a cheque or postal order for £35 made payable to GUSRC.
When we receive your form, we’ll send you a ‘proof of purchase’ card. Bring this with you on the first day of freshers’ week and you’ll receive your pass that will get you in free to every event for the week and an info pack to give you a hassle free start to life at Glasgow Uni.